Challenges Faced Muslim Women Leaders in Higher Education

Abstract

The role of Muslim women in the society has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. As a result of the increasing prevalence of women at all levels of education and in different fields of employment and aspects of public life, women now seek to achieve the highest leadership roles in all sectors and as well as in higher education sector and to participate on the various positions and in the decision-making process in public and private sectors. However, women who strive to assume the leadership positions are facing multiple challenges and many times give up because they become overwhelmed in dealing with multiple barriers. Therefore, the objective of this qualitative, phenomenological article is to probe into challenges that Muslim women academic leaders face both in their leadership position and in their communities by using semi-structured interview with some Muslim women academic leader. It is ascertained through the study that Muslim women academic leaders find it hard to make a significant impact in terms of knowledge due to the attitude of society toward women leaders and many women feel that society is still male dominated, and men are not accepted the idea of women holding senior posts, as well as personal and organization challenges. At the end, the article recommends different strategies to overcome these challenges and develop women in the position of leadership.

Workplace Barriers and Leadership Conflicts Experienced by the Women in Higher Education in Saudi Arabia

“…Lack of confidence is also another personal issue that holds back women in pursuing leadership. Sometimes, they exhibit physiological, psychological and intellectual incapacity to play their duties (Almaki, Silong, Idris, & Wahat, 2016). In the same vein, their lack of ability to implement positional power, executing strategic leadership technique, adapting with the change and working hour push them backward (Al-Jaradat, 2014).…”

“…In order to accomplish those duties, women need to have proper skills, experience, abilities to balance over family and job as well as to the change in job environment and unfavorable organizational structure. Failing to do so, women encounter conflict as well as failure in their administrative job (Almaki et al, 2016).…”

“…Women need permission from their guardians prior to make any decision. This obligation denounces their progress as well as discourage to become administrator (Almaki et al, 2016;Almenkash, Abdulaziz, Shaman, Haijan, & Dagsh, 2007). Another typical barriers for women in ascending the higher management position is stereotype gender approach of the society (Özkanli & White, 2008).…”

Women's Leadership as Top Management in Educational Institution: Society Construction and Cultural Dilemma

“…The experience of the female managers shows that there are no differences in leadership efficiency and ability from their experienced male counterparts. The difference existed only in female-dominated industries where women were found to be more interpersonally oriented than men [2,3].…”

Relationship between Social Support and Work-Family Conflict: A Case Study of Women Employees in a Malaysian Higher Education Institution

“…To produce women role models in TVET, it is important to retain women in the workforce which can be achieved by understanding the challenges that they face in employment. Working women are often confronted with the issues of work-family conflicts (WFC) due to the burden of simultaneously managing heavy workload and family responsibilities (Almaki, Silong, Idris, & Wahat, 2016;Hassan, Dollard, & Winefield, 2010). This factor is reported as a crucial career inhibiting factor for women in Malaysia (TalentCorp, 2013;WorldBank, 2012).…”